Informed consent in gerontology

The aim of this study was to assess the use and adequacy of informed consent in research involving the elderly in Brazil. Using a reading index, we observed that in 83% of informed consent forms, the text was considered difficult, and demanded a higher schooling level than that presented by the subjects. Whereas 100% of the investigators considered the text in informed consent forms accessible, 75% of the subjects considered it hard to understand. This difference was statistically significant. 94% percent of the elderly participating in research protocols made the decision to participate in the study before reading the term of consent. More attention should be given both to the writing of informed consent forms and to the entire informed consent process, which in gerontology research, should be reviewed at each encounter with study participants.